Telecommuting and psychological distress: a cross-lagged study during the COVID-19 pandemic.

IF 2.2 4区医学 Q3 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES International Journal of Environmental Health Research Pub Date : 2024-11-30 DOI:10.1080/09603123.2024.2435486

Tinne Vander Elst, Sofie Vandenbroeck, Isabelle Boets, Lode Godderis

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Abstract

Previous research yields inconsistent findings on the effect of telecommuting on health and little knowledge on its explanatory mechanisms. In reply, this study investigated work-home interference, home-work interference and social support from colleagues as explanations (mediators) of the relationship between the extent of telecommuting and psychological distress. We collected 4-wave data during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (April-June 2020) from 5,959 Belgian workers. Using Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Modeling, we investigated within-person processes over time. Results showed that telecommuting predicted work-home interference and social support, with these effects varying by pandemic stage. Also, the effects of the mediators on psychological distress varied over time. No indirect effects from telecommuting to psychological distress via the mediators were found. Our findings suggest that the context presents certain challenges to teleworkers that may make telecommuting demanding in terms of home-work interference and social support, implying the need for tailored support.

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来源期刊

International Journal of Environmental Health Research 医学-公共卫生、环境卫生与职业卫生

CiteScore

6.70

自引率

3.10%

发文量

134

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： International Journal of Environmental Health Research ( IJEHR ) is devoted to the rapid publication of research in environmental health, acting as a link between the diverse research communities and practitioners in environmental health. Published articles encompass original research papers, technical notes and review articles. IJEHR publishes articles on all aspects of the interaction between the environment and human health. This interaction can broadly be divided into three areas: the natural environment and health – health implications and monitoring of air, water and soil pollutants and pollution and health improvements and air, water and soil quality standards; the built environment and health – occupational health and safety, exposure limits, monitoring and control of pollutants in the workplace, and standards of health; and communicable diseases – disease spread, control and prevention, food hygiene and control, and health aspects of rodents and insects. IJEHR is published in association with the International Federation of Environmental Health and includes news from the Federation of international meetings, courses and environmental health issues.